National Artificial Intelligence Strategy Committee, Ministry of Health and Welfare team up to build national medical and bio data

[Financial News] The National Artificial Intelligence Strategy Committee, directly under the president, said on the 15th that it had participated in the “National Integrated Bio Big Data Project Bio Data Donation Event,” hosted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare at Severance Hospital in Sinchon, Seoul. The National Integrated Bio Big Data Project collects health and genetic information through voluntary donations from the public, with the aim of improving public health and driving innovation in the bio industry. The data will later be used in various studies to prevent disease, develop diagnostic and treatment methods, advance precision medicine, improve public health, and drive innovation in the bio industry.
Recognizing the need for active publicity and encouragement of participation to meet the participant recruitment target, the committee proactively proposed a bio data donation event and organized today’s event in cooperation with the ministries overseeing the project, including the Ministry of Health and Welfare.
Some 20 committee members, including full-time Vice Chair Ha Jung-woo, took part in the event. Alongside Minister of Health and Welfare Jeong Eun-kyung, Korea Health Industry Development Institute President Go Sang-baek, Severance Hospital officials and others, around 40 people in total donated their personal bio data.
Meanwhile, the eligibility criteria for members of the general public to participate in the National Integrated Bio Big Data Project are being expanded. Until now, only people eligible for national health screenings could participate. Now, members of the public who wish to take part in the research can join the project after undergoing the required examination procedures at institutions recruiting participants, even if they are not eligible for a health screening.
Full-time Vice Chair Ha Jung-woo said, “The most essential resource for securing a leading position in the global competition for innovation in medical and bio AI is reliable, high-quality bio data,” adding, “I hope this donation event will help participation by each and every member of the public spread widely and, through this, help South Korea’s capabilities in precision medicine and new drug development to make another leap forward through AI innovation.” 
Minister of Health and Welfare Jeong Eun-kyung said, “The National Integrated Bio Big Data is a public asset that is completed through the participation of each and every member of the public,” adding, “Starting with the first opening of access in November, we will support the safe and broad use of the data so that the benefits of medical innovation can reach the public.”

[email protected] Yeon Ji-an Reporter